Final Reflection

Rachel Schwartz

ST DEV 358R Final Reflection

BYUSA is an incredibly unique organization in the fact that its main focus is teaching others how to leave BYU campus as leaders centered on Jesus Christ for the rest of their lives and it facilitates this through providing service. As I have come to serve with BYUSA and better understand the true vision of the organization, I have come to find that the lessons learned in BYUSA are applicable to all walks of life. There are a variety of ways to learn leadership, but what I love about BYUSA is that it encourages its leaders to follow in the footsteps of the greatest leader of all, Jesus Christ. The man who lived a perfect life, who touched thousands in His day and continues to touch an insurmountable number of lives today, provided His example as the blue print for how we should lead our fellow brothers and sisters.

It’s been interesting to serve with BYUSA and to simultaneously work with the BYU Police Department, because while they are two very differently run organizations they manage to convey the same message. BYUSA tends to be more rigid in rule keeping, it makes sure that all protocol is followed and when it isn’t there can be very severe consequences. Leaders are thrown into the fire without any training and are expected to learn as they go. The BYU Police Department is different in that it provides at least 3 days of training annually, along with interspersed trainings throughout the year, and then throws its employees out into the work field. Everyone is obviously expected to enforce rules and regulations, but each person is allowed the agency to decide for themselves on a case to case basis how they will enforce certain situations. While they may provide different types of training to their student leaders, I have found that each organization has the core value of that people are what’s important. My coordinators at BYUSA always seek to make sure that I am not physically cared for, but that I am emotionally, academically, and mentally cared for as well. I have found the same sentiments with my full-time officers at BYU PD as well. They earnestly seek to make sure my life is not hectic, that I am handling work and school and making sure that my physical needs on the job are taken care of as well. As I have somewhat analyzed these two organizations over the past year, I’ve come to realize that if I want any organization I am apart of to be successful, I must focus on the hearts of the people. If you are informed as to the happenings and circumstances of the lives of those you work with, you are more forgiving and loving towards them. It can be easy to be upset and hold a grudge against a co-worker because they failed to meet a project deadline, but if you understand that their wife has been in the hospital for the past 3 months you will no longer have ill feelings towards your co-worker, but you may be inspired to take more of the burden upon your own back and serve him as he goes through a down-cycle in his life. If BYUSA has taught me anything, it is that small and simple acts of service can have massive effects on the lives of others. As I go forth to serve in my future careers, I will seek to knit my heart with those I work with and show them my care through serving them in whatever way I can.

While employment mainly focuses on accomplishing tasks and getting results, I feel that the Church often takes an opposite approach and focuses on the hearts of people and places less importance on accomplishing tasks. I believe there is a fine balance that makes the Church successful in its endeavors. Last year my roommates and I were sitting in an overly rowdy Sunday School class waiting for the teacher to arrive and begin the lesson. After 15 minutes of waiting, and after being annoyed by the lack of reverence, I took my Gospel Doctrine handbook everyone gets at the beginning of the semester and started and taught the lesson. Shortly afterwards I was called as a Sunday School teacher, ironically. I mention this because there have been times at BYUSA where I have been invited to attend a meeting and that meeting not start at the stated time, causing me to shift my schedule around. Once everyone shows up to the meeting, there’s another 10 minutes of time used in socializing before the meeting is ever brought to open. While socializing and learning the hearts of others is crucial in both your church callings and in BYUSA, there is a time and place for everything. People’s lives are busy and many find themselves on a minute-by-minute timeline of To-Do’s and places to be. I have learned that when you say you are going to commit to anything, a Sunday School lesson or a Youth Activity that you stay true to your word and start promptly at the time designated. If others are late, then that is their fault and they will learn that if they wish to socialize before the lesson or event, to arrive to that event early. As I hold leadership positions in the Church, I will strive to be prompt in starting my meetings and activities on time and allowing socializing time to be present afterwards or before.

I had the opportunity to serve as an event lead with BYUSA where I dealt with many different entities of the Provo community. In regards to each and every vendor we worked with, every person was impressed with the professionalism, communication, and low-maintenance of my committee members. They were able to change the mindsets of how those vendors saw BYU students and BYU and we were able to build wonderful relationships with those various companies. What I found to be the most important lesson learned was that I am always serving, and being looked at, as a representative. Whether I will be a representative of BYU again, I’m not sure, but I will always be a representative of myself, of my family, and of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When I deal with others in my current and future community, I will uphold myself to the standards that I would expect of another person and of another Latter-day Saint member. I am a representative of Christ at all times, in all things, and in all places and I will always be steadfast in upholding His values and good name in all my doings with those I serve, work, and communicate with in my community.

While I feel I can give a thousand examples of how I can best go forth and serve in my home and the lessons I have learned on how to do such through BYUSA, I think one of the most important lessons was learned through the example of a fellow Executive Director. This E.D.’s love language is words of affirmation, and she has taught me about the importance of always expressing gratitude to those you love. She would write notes of appreciation not only to people who provided her with service, but to those who asked for her service. I remember we were asked to go on a road trip and transport this person’s car to his grandparent’s home in Washington. The car’s owner paid for all of our transportation costs, including a hotel and plane flight home, and this sweet E.D. wrote a note of appreciation for the expenses and for their friendship and love. I would have never in a million years thought to write and leave a note of gratitude, but I now have seen the effect it has had on those who have received those simple love notes. I have made a goal to show my family more appreciation, and as I have, I have felt the bonds of love strengthen between us. As I go forth to serve in my family, I will make it a point to always show my family members my love and gratitude for their examples and love in my life.

As I’ve said before, all of the lessons I’ve learned in BYUSA while they have been different and while they are applicable to many areas of life, all stem from the same core of following in the footsteps of Christ. If I follow the example the Savior has set for me, I will be able to go forth and serve as a lifelong leader for the Church, in the community, in my home, and in any of my future forms of employment with love.

Reflection #7

1. Please describe a way you will apply a leadership concept you have learned about this year as you lead in your family

I think the most valuable leadership concept I learned this year was that it's people who are important. Not saying that business tasks are not important, because they need to be done and help facilitate individuals' growth, but when it comes down to the core, the core is people. Having stewardships, just simply sitting and listening in a calm and quiet environment are so powerful. They tell others that you care enough about them to take time out of you busy life and to give your full, undivided attention to them, because you truly care and want to understand them better and knit your heart with theirs. I want to bring this aspect into my future family.

2. Vice President Scharman talked about the importance of developing structure in your home based on your individual time commitments. Describe how you believe structure and order in your family life can help you lead in you family. How can some form of structure and routine help you develop leaders in your family?

A house of order is a house of God. Heavenly Father cannot reside in chaos, and I want my family to have His spirit present in our home. Life gets busy, but in order to have structure and order with time commitments you need to know where your priorities lie. Is FHE an important time commitment? Is having daily family prayer and scripture study an important time commitment? Is having family game night an important time commitment? You need to know that family should always be your number one priority and if you have your priorities in place, every other time constraint will fall into perfect placement. It is important to have this prevalent in the home because you are teaching your children how to be leaders through leading by example. Leaders who honor their commitments are trusted, and it is important for your family to develop those trustworthy qualities as they go forth to serve as representatives of the Church.

Reflection #6

1. Mayor Winder talked about the challenge of balancing career and church assignments with the need to be involved in serving in your community and government. Describe how you will go about including community and government service in your life.

Members in my home ward have been wonderful examples to me of involving themselves in their community. The city I still live in, Alpharetta, was recently split a year ago to create the new city of Johns Creek. The families who were districted to be in this new city made sure their voice was heard by attending various city councils and by becoming board members for various school and new city councils. They were able to share their voice and opinions on how they wanted the new schools in the city to be funded and how they should be districted. I think it goes back to the saying of being in the world, but not of the world. You can't pretend that your community and government won't affect your church membership and life, but if you are apart of those institutions you can better share the gospel with others and make sure that the values you hold dear are upholded.

1. In Mayor Winders research on the history of church leaders interactions with Presidents of the Untied States, one conclusion that has been apparent is the importance of good people serving in and around government. Identify ways that you can have that type of positive influence in both your community and nationally. Please include various ways in which you see yourself being able to lead.

I think you don't necessarily have to be in a titled position to lead by example. I think it is important, however, to be a light unto others and make sure your example is seen and heard. In my home community, I was semi-involved with the North Fulton Community Charities organization and while I only had the title of volunteer, I found myself leading others in small ways. Such as teaching someone the system of sorting the various items that came through the thrift store donations or by being a mediator between Spanish and non-Spanish speakers. As long as you are living your life as you know you should be, you will be presented with small and large opportunities to serve and lead in your community.

1. As you evaluate your experience this year in a leadership role, describe what motivated you to make the commitment you have made in your year of service with BYUSA.

I have felt the spirit while serving with BYUSA and I have seen how it has impacted my life, and the lives of others. I felt the vision come to life and to literally see those I served with being spiritually fed and cared for by doing simple and large acts of service. I know that this is the Lord's university and that He has provided an organization that will prepare the youth to become the future leaders of the church. Seeing those I would not have considered leaders become leaders centered on Jesus Christ and how it provided them with confidence and self worth is what thrills me. People are my motivation for serving here in BYUSA and in other areas of my life as well.

Reflection #5

1. "When we serve others we are not motivated by selfishness, but by charity." Please describe an experience where you have had the opportunity to be motivated by charity in your leadership experience

I think one aspect of charity is being able to help others in their various events or activities for their programs. If Phil needs me to make my Facebook profile picture his event's poster I am more than willing to do that. If Nate needs me to drive a van for one of his Preference dances on a Friday night, I am happy to serve him. I guess the little acts of being a servant leader to other leaders in BYUSA have been motivated by charity.

1. Why is it important for you to serve and lead now?

It reminds me of the doctrine in our church that when you do not fulfill your calling, you not only are keeping yourself from receiving blessings the Lord has for you, but you are withholding opportunities and blessings from those you should have reached. If I don't lead now, I'll be held accountable to all those people I was meant to reach, and I will not receive the opportunities and blessings the Lord planned for me.

1. How will you prepare yourself to be ready for those unexpected opportunities to lead and serve, like the college students who saved the truck driver who had fallen off of the causeway?

I think the best preparation is to be acting like a servant leader at all times. You don't just switch on and off leadership, but it's something that you should be continually seeking to improve and work on.

Reflection #4?

1. President Samuelson explained the importance of accepting callings. Please describe how you plan to respond to different calls that will come to you over your lifetime.

I will always let my priesthood authorities be aware of my circumstances and present situations so that when they are prompted to extend my a calling, we will both be on the same page and I will be able to do what the Lord desires me to do.

1. President Samuelson identified the practice of being “too critical” of ourselves as being worse in effect than not being critical enough. How do your expectations of your own performance effect how you serve as a leader. How do you intend to avoid the practice of over self criticism?

I feel that I need to be completely available and knowledgeable at all times. This is almost an impossible task and no one can be perfect at accomplishing this. I think just remembering what Elder Christofferson said about taking things day by day at a time will help me to avoid being critical of myself, just doing the best I can every day and taking one step at a time to being the best person I can be.

1. President Samuelson shared his method of organizing his plans to include, long term, mid term and short term. What approach do you currently use in organizing the work you are responsible for?

I feel I set-up a long-term goal at the beginning of the semester, and then we work on short-term goals for the rest of the semester. I don't usually have mid-term goals.

1. Please describe your motive for serving in BYUSA. Has this motive changed or evolved as the year has gone by?

I started being involved with BYUSA more for the power aspect, in the fact that I wanted to be involved and make an imprint on campus. As I have worked in BYUSA, I have learned to love the mission and divine-centered leadership model of service.

Reflection #3

1. Bro. Jones described his career path and an experience where he received a recommendation from the President of Dixie State College. This recommendation came because of Bro. Jones reputation as someone who would follow through on any assignments he received. Please describe what practices you will engage to make sure that you are considered someone who is reliable in completing projects.

When someone calls me or texts me, I will reply back in a quick fashion. When someone expects me to be somewhere, I will be there and I will be there on time, if there is a conflict I will inform them of it as far in advance as possible.

1. Bro. Jones mentioned the opportunities that he has had to be an example for those who are not members of the church and has been an influence for changing opinions about Mormons. Please describe how you will consider the opportunity to make friends for the Church as you start and grow your career.

I think taking a sincere interest people is the best way to befriend someone. It's easy to get the basic facts about a person, but to try and make deeper connections or delve more into what they say to get the meat really shows that you want to understand and learn more about someone. Once you're able to better understand someone, you are better able to serve them and teach them about the Church.

1. Bro. Jones described his work on the Festival of the American West. One aspect that made that event succesful was the inclusion of many different people and allowing them to shine with their talents. Please explain how this concept of involving others and allowing them to utilize and showcase their talents relate to our practice of leadership in BYUSA and in the future.

It all goes back to the Divine-centered leadership model. You provide people with a responsibility, a job description, a vision. And then you work with them to help them create their own vision and once people catch the fire of a vision, they accomplish incredible feats. Then, they continue the drop in the water and inspire others with their vision and help them create their own vision for their project and it diffuses down to the very bottom, and by that time everyone has caught the fire and puts all their effort and talents into doing incredible things.

Reflection #2

1. Select at least three of Bro. Cox's 12 career "hints" and report what you are currently doing to follow his recommendations. Be specific in describing how you are living each "hint."

Family First: This is a really hard "hint" for me to follow, because I have the bad tendency of putting my family as the lowest priority. Yesterday, I called my brother to see how he was handling college, his social life, etc. Basically to get a status report on what he's doing in his life. I plan on calling my parents on Saturday to check base with them and see how they're doing.

Be prepared before opportunity knocks: My current job right now is determining who they will be laying off for the summer, and I may be one of those people because I don't have as a high as seniority as others. While there is still a chance for me to stay on during the summer, I am attending a job information meeting concerning Aspen Grove tonight. I also plan on restructuring my resume to include the most up to date information.

Be willing to start from ground level: My FHE husband died (in the figurative sense) last semester, so I recently remarried. I need to work with my new husband and talk about what he thinks is important for our FHE family to learn and do and not get stuck in doing things the same way I did them last semester. I'm excited to meet with him on Sunday to talk about how he envisions our FHE family.

1. Select one or more "hints" from Bro. Cox upon which you feel a need improve your focus. Be specific about your plans to better incorporate this "hint" into your life.

Don't value security more than the opportunity to serve: I am very much a realistic person when it comes to the nitty-gritty details of life. I feel that I allow myself to be selfish in doing things to better my level of security rather than hyperfocusing on serving others and I need to find the balance between these two. In order to incorporate this "hint" into my life, I am going to get on my knees and ask the Lord to help me have greater faith in His will for me and to provide me with opportunities to serve others. I plan on acting on the promptings I receive.